Somewhat less experimental than it was at the end of 2002, this blog still draws its inspiration from the participants of SHWI (soc.history.what-if Usenet newsgroup) who had introduced me to this new phenomenon. The blog is still in search of its definite shape, style and general theme of posts. However, if someone insists on short definitions, I must admit that the shortest way to define it is something to do with its location – Split, Croatia.

Sunday, May 25, 2003

Eurovision Conspiracies?

While the governments of France, Germany, Russia and the rest of Europe try to mend fences and pretend that the whole fuss over Iraq never happened, the people in the street are somewhat slow in adapting to new realities. At least this is impression given by this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Juries and voting public in many European countries used this opportunity to express sympathy for Turkey and its brave anti-war stance, thus allowing Turkish pop star Sertab Erener to enter history as that nation's first artist ever to win this spectacular event.

On the other hand, Jemini, pop duo representing UK, nation whose government led pro-war camp in Europe, got exactly zero points, leading to worst result in the history of British participation at Eurovision song contest. BBC commentator Terry Wogan already pointed fingers towards post-Iraq backlash as the major reason why Britain fared so poorly.

On a related, unexpected failure of T.a.t.u. (which ended third, behind Sertab and Belgian New Agers) shows what happens when performers don't live up to hype. Whether they were led by politics or usual sectarian/regional criteria (Cyprus giving maximum points to Greece and vice versa; Norway awarding Sweden; Croatia/Bosnia etc.), European voters and juries showed some good class. There is still hope for Western civilisation.